Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation in Solidarity With Elsipogtog Mi'kmaq Right to Prior Free, Prior and Informed Consent to Development on Their Traditional Territory

KITIGAN ZIBI ANISHINABE, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Oct. 21, 2013) - The Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation stands in solidarity with the Elsipogtog Mi'kmaq. Kitigan Zibi denounces the Government of New Brunswick's and Canada's failure to obtain the Free, Prior and Informed consent of the Elsipogtog Mi'kmaq before authorizing SWN Resources Canada to carry out mining activities within the Elsipogtog Mi'kmaq traditional territory.

"We strongly condemn the actions taken by the government representatives in not working more diligently to find a solution that begins by truly listening to the leadership and the members of Elsipogtog. Situations that occurred last week should not occur in a just society," said Chief Gilbert W. Whiteduck.

The stand being taken by the Elsipogtog Mi'kmaq is not one of defiance but rather is one of standing strong and respectfully for what is just and right. The situation now occurring in New Brunswick could occur anywhere in Canada because of the continued refusal of governments to engage in a meaningful way. Change is required and it is required now!

Kitigan Zibi calls on the governments of Canada and New Brunswick to direct SWN Resources Canada to immediately cease and desist from any further work, to keep police in check and to take immediate action to engage with the Elsipogtog Mi'kmaq consistent with their rights. Respectful dialogue and peaceful actions are the cornerstones of securing a meaningful outcome for all parties.

Kitigan Zibi calls upon all Canadians to stand in solidarity with the Elsipogtog Mi'kmaq. Their stand is for mother earth; their stand is a demand for true justice.

About Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg:

The Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg community is an Anishinabe (Algonquin) community located 130 km's north of Ottawa, Ontario in the territory called Quebec. The community is the largest of the 10 Algonquin communities that make up the Algonquin Nation that has never ceded or entered into treaty for its ancestral lands.